New principal named, school budget to increase

The board alsoAwarded a $40,000 bid for letter jackets to Texas Chenille & Em B. No sample jackets were available to view.

Awarded contracts to Chick-Fil-A, Domino's Pizza, PJ Fast Victoria, Papa John's Pizza, Subway, Coca-Cola and Pepsi Beverages. The food items will sell in a "cash-only" line and are not available for purchase through free or reduced lunch programs.

Approved the student code of conduct for the 2010-11 year.

William Wood and Guadalupe Elementary schools have a new principal.

After a closed session Thursday night, the school board agreed to hire Steve Janca, a former assistant principal with DeLeon Elementary School, as the new principal.

He received cheers and a standing ovation when the board approved the hiring.

Janca has been with the school district since 1990 and was assistant principal at DeLeon since 2002.

Parents and teachers expressed relief to hear the news.

"I think we'll move forward and have a good year," said parent Staci Keel.

Tammy Nobles, the controversial former principal of the two schools and who was acquitted of assaulting a teacher, has not yet been reassigned, said Eloy Chapa, the district's human resources director.

The first half of the meeting was taken up with the discussion of the proposed $98 million 2010-11 budget.

The budget is expected to increase by slightly more than $100,000 because of a new state funding formula, extra athletic revenues, local penalties collected on past due property taxes and interest funds, said Francis Koch, executive director of budget and finance.

Two new positions were also added for a math and science teacher at the new high schools.

The budget still includes a two percent pay increase for teachers and a static tax rate of $1.32 per $100 of assessed valuation, she said.

Superintendent Bob Moore believes the raises for the entire staff are important because of state increases in health insurance.

"It's really important if we can at all work some kind of increase in the budget for staff," he said.

The budget is expected to change slightly before Aug. 26 when the board votes to adopt a final version.